Suction cleaner



Jan. 30, 1940.

G. P. DAIGER 291885390 SUCTION CLEANER 5 Shams-Sheet l 4 9 FL 2. j

INVENTOR Geofye J3.' '1D0 yer ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1940. G. P. DAIGER SUCTION CLEANER Filed Sept. 23, 1937 3 Sheets-SheetIE:`

INVENTOR Geolye I? ayer BY EMM ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1940. G P DAlGER' 2,188,390

SUCTIONk CLEANER Filed Sept. 25, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Geolge I? .Daf'yez ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANER poration of Ohio Application September 23, 1937, Serial No. 165,282

Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to improvements in suction cleaners and more particularly to automatic nozzle adjusting mechanisms for suction cleaners operating to adjustl the height of the nozzle properly to the particular iloor covering to be cleaned without anyl effort on the part of the operator.

Nozzle height adjusting mechanisms of the automatic type have been fully disclosed in two earlier applications, to wit, Serial No. 96,222 tiled August 15, 1936, and Serial No. 102,883 tiled September 28, 1936, now Patent No. 2,146,006. But in each of these automatic nozzle adjusting mechanisms the operator is required to depress a foot pedal in order to initiate the adjusting operation and 'hence they cannot properly be considered as wholly or fully automatic in operation.

Hence, the object of the present invention is primarily that of converting the heretofore disclosed partially automatic or semi-automatic type of nozzle height adjusting mechanism into a fully automatic mechanism by the application of a suitable power unit which will supply the force, otherwise exerted by the operator in the act of depressing the foot actuated operating lever, but with the definite advantage that this power unit functions automatically Whenever the cleaner is put into operation.

Moreover, since the adjusting mechanism per se has already been fully disclosed as previously mentioned, the present disclosure is directed primarily to the application of the power unit to an already perfected device, although it should be understood that the present invention also contemplates the possibility of eiiminating the foot operation entirely, thus making the mechanism wholly automatic in its operation, although recognizing the fact that it would be perfectly practical to combine ioot operation and the full automatic operation, with the idea that should the operator neglect to make the adjustment, the automatic power unit would then respond and perform the adjusting operation notwithstanding. Then again, it is conceivable that suction cleaners might preferably be manufactured with foot-operated nozzle adjusting mechanisms as standard equipment with the full-automatic feature to be added at the time of purchase or later should the purchaser desire the added conven- Y ience offered thereby at a slightly increased cost. In other words, the auxiliary power unit may be considered either as an attachment or as an integral part of a fully automatic system.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general View in side elevation of a suction cleaner of standard design, with portions broken away and shown in vertical section as taken on line I-I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the major portion of the suction cleaner body showing the nozzle height adjusting mechanism.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation corresponding generally to that of Figure 1, but showing the nozzle height adjusting mechanism from the opposite side of the cleaner.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view in vertical section as taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2 and showing the nozzle height adjustment mechanism in the position occupied by the various parts during the interval that force is being applied by the auxiliary power unit.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the primary operation lever through which the force is applied to the nozzle adjusting mechanism by the power unit. l

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram showing the location of the electrically actuated power unit in the electrical circuit of the suction cleaner.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed view showing. a modied application of the auxiliary power unit including a centrifugally actuated switch for controlling a solenoid.

Figure 8 is a detail view of the centrifugal switch as it appears in top plan View with the top of the switch housing removed as on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view of the solenoid circuit switch as taken on line 9--9 of Figure 7.

Figures 10 and 11 are wiring diagrams showing alternative locations for the solenoid in the electrical circuit of the cleaner.

Referring to the cleaner in its general aspects, the same comprises a main casing I, having a nozzle portion 2, extending transversely of its forward end and having the form of an elongated chamber with a downwardly facing mouth. The casing extends'rearwardly from the nozzle portion, gradually converging to a rearwardly opening anged outlet connection 3 to which is attached a dirt receptacle in the form of a fabric bag 4.

of, (Figure 2) and enclosing a fan 6, having direct driving connection with a motor 'l enclosed l Centrally of the casing l is a circularv t fan chamber 5, visible from the underside therer centrally of its bottom wall and 7concentric with the vertical axis of the fan `and its driving motor. Extending forwardly from the fan eye 5a is a passage communicating with the interior of the nozzle 2, said passage being closed at its' bottom by a removable plate 9.

Within the nozzle chamber and immediately above the suction mouth I is located a rotating agitator II, consisting of a cylindric shell having brush elements IIa, IIa, arranged lengthwise thereof and helically arranged beater elements II b, IIb. A drive belt I2 for the agitator is enclosed within the passage from ,the nozzle chamber to the fan chamber and extends from a pulley I3 carried at the lower end of the fan shaft to a pulley groove Ile midway -between the ends of the agitator II. j

AAgain referring to the main casing I, with its centrallyI disposed circular fan chamber 5, it will be noted that along the side edges are depending walls Ia, I a and between these marginal walls and the sides of the lfan chamber 5, are relatively deep cavities or fspaces in which are located the wheeled support for the casing and the nozzle adjustment mechanism associated therewith. l

Referring iirst to the supportingiv means for the cleaner, the same comprises a U-shap'ed chassis or carriage I5 carrying a pair of front wheels I6, I6 and a pair of rear wheels I1, I1, the latter having\more the character of a two-wheeled caster beneath the rear Vend of the casing. The carriage or chassis I5 has pivotal connection with the casing just forwardly of the rear caster whereby the cleaner body is enabled to tilt about a horizontal axis.

Referring particularly tothe form and mounting of the chassis or carriage I5, it has the form of a U-shaped casting disposed symmetrically beneath the cleaner casing I with its base portion I5a extending transversely beneath'the rear of the casing and its two arms or branches I5b, I5b, extending forwardly just inwardly from the marginal side walls I a, Ia. A pivot bolt I8, depending vertically from the bottom wall of the fan chamber 5 and passing through the center of the base portion I5a of the chassis frame I5 with a nut I8a mounted at its lower end supports a coil spring I9 to form a resilient pivotal or swivel connection between the cleaner casing I and the U-shaped wheeled chassis I5, which also have a knife edge contact permitting the body to tilt about a horizontal transverse axis.

Extending rearwardly from the base portion I 5a of the chassis frame I5, is a supporting bracket for an axle 2l on which are journalled the rear wheels or casters I1, l1. 'Ihe forwardly extending arms I5b, I5b of the chassis frame I5 terminate in the form of downwardly and forwardly extending fork members 23, 23, support-r ing bearing pins 24, 24 at their lower end on which are journalled 4the front carrier wheels I6, I6.

Carried by the chassis I5 just rearwardly of and above the front wheels is an inverted U-shaped bail 25 which forms the lower extremity of the handle of the cleaner and projects through longitudinal slots in the top wall of the casing I with its ends pivotally mounted on bearing pins 26, 2B supported by the chassis frame I5. Thus the cleaner handle is carried by the chassis quite independently of the casing I.

Associated with the handle bail 25 is a handle position control device which serves to restrain the handle from free swinging movement and denes its extreme positions as well as its intermediate or working range. This device is already in common use and hence will 'not be described tion of the top wall of the casing 'I and the vertical rear wall of the nozzle:chamber.

The ratchet lever 21 extends in a general downwardly and rearwardly inclined direction from its pivot pin 28 and as it approaches its rear end, spreads abruptly into a ratchet sector 30 having a curved outer edge inwhich are cut a series of ratchet teeth. Y

Also pivotally mounted on the same pin 28 that supports the ratchet lever 21 is another somewhat irregularly shaped lever 3| having the characteristics of a bell crank lever with a forwardly disposed arm 3Ia which 'extends in a downward direction and another arm 3Ib extending in a more rearwardly direction.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the depending arm 3Ia of the bell crank lever 3| lies just inside oi the ratchet lever 21 and that its lower end supports a pivot pin 32 on which is journalled a pawl lever 33 extending rearwardly therefrom in a substantially horizontal direction. .A This pawl lever 33, the ratchet lever 21 and the bell crank lever 3I all oscillate in parallel tertical planes. However, the arm 3Ib ofthe bell crank lever 3| is oset inwardly from its other arm 3Ia, with the result that Vthe two portions of the bell crank lever 3l actually straddle the pawl lever 33. The rear end of the pawl lever extendsa short distance beyond the toothed edge of the ratchet sector 3l) of the lever 21 and at its extreme end is provided a dog 33a projecting from its lower edge laterally at right angles to the toothed edge of the ratchet sector 30, with which it is adapted to have toothed connection.

Acting on the pivoted pawl lever 33 is a torsion l in a counterclockwise direction and the dog 33a at its free end toward the toothed edge of the ratchet sector 30.

Now, with the pawl dog 33a engaging the ratchet sector 30, it follows that the levers 21 and 3| become united and oscillate together and, if

' movement is imparted to the bell crank lever 3I while so connected with the ratchet lever 21, this movement will be transmitted to the casing I through the rolling contact between the cam member 21a of the ratchet lever 21 and the inclined abutment plate 29 on the casing I.

The bell crank lever 3l is the primaryv moving member of this combination of inter-connected levers'whereby the nozzle is raised and lowered by the rolling action of the cam 21a upon the inclined abutment plate 29, this adjusting movement being initiated by a pivoted rocking motion imparted to the bell crank lever 3l through an operating lever supported intermediate its ends upon a transverse bearing pin 35 and pin 36.

having an arm 31 extending forwardly and upwardly and terminating in a slotted or bifurcated end engaging a pin 38 carried at the rearmost extremity of the arm 3ib of the bell crank lever 3|. This operating lever 35 (shown in detail in Figure 5) has another arm 39 also extending forwardly from its bearing on the pin 36 but somewhat more horizontally than the first mentioned arm 31. The forward extremity of the lever arm 39 is shaped to form an upwardly facing U-shaped saddle 39a having a pin and slot connection with the lower end of a cylindric shaped movable core 40 of a solenoid or electromagnet 4i fixed to the underside of the top wall of the cleaner casing l just rearwardly of the nozzle chamber and to one side of the passage connecting the nozzle chamber with the fan eye as clearly shown in Figure 2.

As arranged, the solenoid 4| is capable of actuating the lever 35 by exerting an upward pull at the forward end of its arm 39 when the solenoid is energized by electric current. As a type of electrical apparatus, a solenoid is too well known in the art to require further description, although presently its connection with the source of electrical energy will be pointed out and its function described in detail. In the meantime, it will be noted that the lever 35 also has a third arm 42 extending rearwardly beyond the pivot lThis rearwardly extending arm 42 is considerably shorter than either of the forwardly extending lever arms 31 or 39 and U-shaped in cross section, it being apparent from Figure 5 that the lever 35 is preferably stamped from sheet metal so that the main portion thereof adjacent its pivotal mounting has the form of an upwardly facing channel while the forwardly extending arms 31 and 3.9 are extensions of the side walls of the main channel portion and which, incidentally, forms the somewhat shorter arm 42 just identified.

Also having pivotal mounting on the same bearing pin 36 with the lever 35, is a foot lever 43 extending rearwardly and positioned above and cradled by-the shorter rearwardly extending lever arm 42 of the main operating lever 35. At the rearmost extremity of the foot lever 43 is a triangular shaped pedal 43a lying immediately outside the contour of the main casing and just to one side of the rearmost outlet connection 3 thereof as clearly shown in Figure 2. It should be observed at this point that the foot lever 43 has no positive connection with the main operating lever 35, being normally held in its normal elevated position by means of a torsion spring 44 acting to hold the same in contact with the underside of the chassis frame i5, as shown in Figure 4.

And nally, to place the entire nozzle adjusting mechanism under tension, a coiled spring 45 is supported vertically on end upon the chassis frame i5 and above the rearmost end of the operating lever 35. A rod 46 extends axially through the coiled spring 45 and downwardly through apertures in the chassis frame i5 and lever 43, and finally connected at its lower end with the end of the lever arm 42. This rod is connected with the spring 45 through a circular plate 45a which seats on top of the `Ispring which thus exerts an upward force acting to rock the operating lever 35 on its bearing pin 36 in a counterclockwise direction according to the showing of Fig. 4.

Referring once more to the solenoid 4I, Figuve 6 shows it connected in series with the field coils of the motor 1, the conductors 41 leading to the solenoid from the motor being shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Inasmuch as the operation of the nozzle acl--` justment mechanism per se, is fully and elaborately pointed out in the previous disclosures mentioned. it is not considered necessary to repeat in detail the movement of each element constituting the adjusting mechanism. Consequently, it will be suflicient to point out that under normal operating conditions the nozzle height adjusting mechanism supports the casing l in a xed position with the nozzle mouth raised a predetermined height above the carpet surface and the various parts of the adjusting mechanism at rest. 'I'he operating lever 35 in particular, assumes a' generally horizontal position and the core 4U of the solenoid is lowered as it would be when the solenoid is demagnetized (Figure 1).

Now, if the cleaner is transferred from one carpet to another carpet having entirely dierent surface characteristics, the nozzle should be readjusted. This readjustment may be broughtl about by the operator pressing downwardly on the foot pedal 43, whereupon the entire forward portion of the casing drops until the nozzle mouth rests upon the upstanding carpet pile, thus establishing a horizontal plane above which the nozzle mouth is ultimately to be elevated. Hence upon the releasing of the foot pedal, the adjusting mechanism functions by spring pressure to elevate the nozzle a definite height above thethe operating lever 35 has operative connection K with the solenoid 4I', it follows that the lever 35 will actuate the adjusting mechanism quite independently of the foot lever 43,'whenever the solenoid is energized. Hence, ignoring entirely the foot lever 43 and which, as a matter of fact, might readily be removed entirely if desired, let it be pointed out that it is a characteristic of electric motors generally that considerably greater current supply is required on starting due to friction and the inertia of the moving parts. Therefore, it follows that upon starting vthe cleaner motor, the initial current supply is greatly increased for a period of several moments after the switch has been closed and until the motor has approached its normal speed.. Hence, if this excessive starting current is impressed upon the solenoid, it will be momentarily energized, the core 4D retracted and the lever 35 shifted in the same direction and to the same extent as would result if the operator were to depress the foot lever 43. But the duration of the maximum starting current is only for a short period and as a consequence the weight of the cleaner body very soon overcomes the magnetic power exerted by the solenoid, whereupon the adjusting mechanism is free to complete the adjusting operation under spring tension and gravity, just as it does when the operator releases the foot pedal.

Thus it follows that the cleaner will; be automatically adjusted to any surface to cleaned merely by starting the motor, the only requisite being that the motor be: stopped and started in transferring the cleaner from one type of carpet to another.

Figures 7 `to 11 disclose slight modifications 110 Insofar as the solenoidand its operative connection with the adjusting mechanism is concerned, the modified arrangement involves no particular departure. Thus Figures` 1,0 and 11 show diagrammatically two possible alternative .15 arrangements, one, wherein the solenoid circuit is shuntedaround a, switch in one of the current supply lines to the motor (Figure 10);

whereas in the other arrangement, the solenoid is shunted across the current supply lines with a switch in the solenoid circuit (Figure 11).

As shown in Figure '7, the centrifugal switch is preferably located in a housing 50 located at the upper end of the motor, similar in all re- 1 spects to that shown in Figure 1. The armature shaft 5I of the motor terminates in thishousing and xed to the end of the armature shaft 5I isa circular disc or plate .52. On the upper face of this disc 52 is mounted a radially arranged switch member 53 with one end pivotally .a supported on a bracket 54 mounted adjacent the periphery of the disc with its inner free end positioned in alignment with the axis of the armature shaft Disposed 'approximately 120 from the switch VA member supporting bracket 54 and also adjacent:

the periphery of the disc 52 is another bracket 55 pivotally :supporting one end of a flexible arm 56 carrying a weight 56a at its outerH end, said arm 5B extending at right angles to the switch member 53. A light rod 51 anchored at one end to a short depending crank arm 53al at the pivoted end of the switch member 53, connects the latter with the flexible arm 56 intermediate its ends so that as the speed of the i. motor increases the weighted end of the arm 56 `tends to move outwardly thus flexing the arm and in so doing transmits an endwise movement to the rod -which in turn rocks the switch member 53 and in a direction to move its free 50 end axially and outwardly toward the top of the housing 50. i

,Now, mounted within the housing is a pair of conductor 'terminals 58 andI 59 consisting of at metal strips passing through the Ahousing wall which necessarily would be of some insulating material. One of these terminal strips 58 is disposed radially against the inner face of the top wall of the housing 50, whereas the other strip 59 is placedv at an angle of approximately 30 thereto with its inner end or'portionn bent to overlie the end of the other terminal strip 58 in spaced relation thereto, these.strips having coacting contact points normally spaced apart to form an air gap. 4

VIn the arrangement` shown in Figure 10, the conductors leading to the terminals 58 and 59 lead t9 the'rnotor fieldv circuit, and the switch 53 `is ezby the solenoid circuit. Thus when the motor 1s not in operation the switch is open and m on starting the current passes through the shunt circuit and causes the solenoid to actuate the adjusting mechanism as` before. However, when the motor increases its speed the arm 56 actuates the switch member 53 to close the ,switch and thus short circuits the solenoid, allowing the v adjusting operation to be completed by spring tension in the usual manner.

The arrangement shown in Figure 11 functions in much the same way, except that the centrifu- 'solenoid in actuating the nozzle adjusting mechanism although it tends to bring about a more positive control of the solenoid.

Having setforth a full and'clear embodiment of the invention, claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a motor-driven suction-creating unit including a nozzle, a wheeled frame pivotally connected with said unit, adjusting mechanismv for successively lowering said nozzle into contact with the vfloor covering and automatically elevating the same to a predetermined height above the surface of said floor covering, and means operative by the starting current of the motor to actuate said adjusting mechanism.

l2. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing provided with a nozzle, a motor-driven suction-creating unit, a wheeled support having a pivotal connection with said casing and permitting the adjustment of said nozzle relative to the surface to be cleaned, and mechanism intermediate said casing and said support and operative to lower the nozzle momentarily into contact with the surface to be cleaned and then to raise it automatically to a predetermined height above said surface, and power-generating means associatedv with said motor and operative to actuate said mechanism only during the starting of said motor. f

3. Inla suction cleaner,- the combination of a casing provided with a nozzle, a suction fan driven by an electric motor, a wheeled support for said casing pivotally connected therewith for limited vertical adjustment, mechanism Yintermediate said casing and said wheeled support and operative to successively lower said nozzle into contact with the surface to be cleaned and thence 4. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing provided with a nozzle and suction creating means, a motor driving said suction creating means,'a wheeled support pivotally mounted on the underside of said casing, means for adjusting the height of said nozzle above the carpet surface and comprising mechanism operative to momentarily lower said nozzle into contact with said carpet surface and then to raise it automatically to a predetermined height above the same, said mechanism including a lever pivotally mounted on said wheeled support, and a solenoid mounted on said casing and operatively connected to said lever, said solenoid being electrically connected with said motor whereby the excess starting current delivered to said motor energizes said solenoid to actuate said operating lever during the starting period of said motor only.

5. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing provided with a nozzle and suction creating means including a fan, a motor driving said fan, a wheeled support for said casing having pivotal connection with the underside thereof,

,means for adjusting the height of said nozzle comprising a ratchet lever pivotally mounted on said wheeled support and a lever operated pawl normally engaging said ratchet lever to support said casing, and an operating lever operatively connected with said pawl and shiftable in one direction to disengage said pawl from said ratchet lever to permit said nozzle to drop into contact With the carpet surface, and in the opposite direction to re-engage said pawl with said ratchet lever and thereby raise said nozzle to a predetermined height above the carpet surface through the medium of tension means acting on said operating lever, and ,a solenoid operatively connected with said lever and electrically connected in the circuit with said motor whereby the solenoid is energized only during the starting period of said motor to actuate said operating lever.

6. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle and a suction creating fan, a motor driving said fan, a wheeled support for said casing having pivotal connection with the .underside thereof, means for adjusting the height of said nozzle to the surface of the carpet to be cleaned comprising a ratchet lever pivotally mounted on said wheeled support and having a cam supporting said casing from beneath and an operating lever operatively connected with said ratchet lever, a spring pressed pawl carried by said operating lever and normally engaging said ratchet lever, said lever actuating said pawl in its movement in one direction to release said ratchet sector thereby permitting said nozzle to drop into contact with the carpet surface and in the movement of said operating lever in the opposite direction to permit said pawl to re-engage said ratchet sector and thereby raise said nozzle a predetermined distance above the carpet surface, and a solenoid mounted on said casing and having a core operatively connected with said operating lever, said solenoid being electrically connected in the circuit with said motor whereby the starting current of said motor energizes said solenoid momentarily to actuate said operating lever.

7. In a suction cleaner having a casing, a suction creating fan, a motor for driving said fan, a wheeled carriage pivotally connected to the underside of said casing, mechanism operative to adjust the height of said nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned by momentarily lowering the nozzle into contact with the carpet surface and then automatically raising it to a predetermined height above the same, a solenoid in circuit with said motor and operatively connected with said mechanism whereby the current supplied to said motor on starting energizes said solenoid and actuates said mechanism, and a switch in circuit with said solenoid and controlled by the speed of said motor for demagnetizing said solenoid upon said motor reaching a predetermined 4speed.

8. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle at its forward end and housing a suction creating fan, a motor for driving said fan, a wheeled carriage pivotally connected to the underside of said casing normally supporting the same with said nozzle above the carpet surface, mechanism operative to permit said nozzle to drop momentarily into contact with the carpet surface and then to be automatically raised to a predetermined height above said surface, means for automatically actuating said j mechanism comprising a solenoid in circuit with said motor and operatively connected with said mechanism whereby the currentsupplied to said motor on starting energizes said solenoid momentarily to actuate said mechanism, and a switch in circuit with said solenoid and controlled by the speed of said motor to demagnetize said solenoid upon said motor reaching a predetermined speed.

9. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided with a nozzle at its forward end and housing a suction fan, a motor directly connected with said fan, a carriage pivotally connected to the underside of said casing adjacent itsl rear end, mechanism intermediate said carriage and said casing for adjusting said nozzle relative to the oor surface being cleaned and comprising a pawl and ratchet mechanism operative to depress said nozzle momentarily into contact with the carpet surface and tension means acting subsequently to elevate said nozzle to a predetermined height above said carpet surface, and means for automatically actuating` said pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising an operating lever, a solenoid mounted on said casing and having an endwise shiftable core operatively connected with said operating lever, said solenoid being electrically connected with said motor whereby the current supplied to the latter on starting is available to energize said solenoid and displace said armature to shift said operating lever in one direction, and a centrifugal switch in circuit with said solenoid and carried by the armature shaft of said motor whereby said solenoid is short circuited at a predetermined speed of said motor to allow said operating lever to shift in the opposite direction to complete the nozzle height adjusting operation.

10. In a suction cleaner having a casing provided With a nozzle at its forward end and a fan chamber, a motor driven fan in said fan chamber, a wheeled carriage pivotally connected with the underside of said casing adjacent one end thereof, a ratchet lever carried by said carriage and having a cam supporting said casing adjacent the nozzle end thereof, an operating lever pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a spring pressed pawl normally engaging a toothed sector on said ratchet lever to hold the same against displacement, said operating lever being shiftable in one direction to disengage said pawl from said sector thereby dropping said nozzle into contact with the oor covering, tension means acting to return said operating lever to its normal position whereby said ratchet sector is re-engaged by said pawl to elevate said nozzle to a predetermined height above the surface of the door covering, a solenoid mounted on the underside 'of said casing and having an endwise shiftable core operatively connected with said operating lever, said solenoid being electrically connected with said motor whereby the current supplied to said motor is available to energize said solenoid and actuate said operating lever in one direction, and a centrifugal switch in circuit with said solenoid and operatively connected with said motor whereby said solenoid is demagnetized upon the motor reaching a predetermined speed thus permitting said tension means to function to complete the nozzle adjusting operation.

GEORGE P. DAIGIR.. 

